#204. Keep A Food Log Every Day For Six Months - Week 2

This week was actually a step backwards, I think, aside from just keeping the list.

Gotta double down and make some real changes.

Suggestions welcome.

WEEK 2

SUNDAY 8/7

1pm

Ham Sandwich - Ham, Brie, Honey Mustard, Lettuce, Tomato, French Roll

4-30pm

Frozen Watermelon Margarita

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Baguette

8-15pm

Hamburger - Beef Pattie, Bleu Cheese, Bun

Pickle Spear

MONDAY 8/8

11-30am

Steam Omelette - Eggs, Lox, onion, tomato

1-45pm

Kung Pao Chicken

Fried Rice

Bottled Water

9pm

Cheeseburger - 1/2 lb Beef Pattie, Pepperjack Cheese, Blue Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers

Chips w/ Dill Dip

Rum/Pineapple/Sprite

TUESDAY 8/9

12-15pm

Strawberry Milk

2pm

Cheeseburger - Beef pattie, cheese, bun, bbq sauce

Cheeseburger - "Beef pattie, cheese, half bun, ketchup, mustard

"

Orange Juice

6-15pm

Shrimp Roll - Shrimp, Split Top Roll

Pickle Spear

Root Beer

WEDNESDAY 8/10

12-15pm

Frankfooter - two hot dogs, baguette, melted cheese blend

11pm

Cheeseburger Bite - Cheeseburger Bite, Bun, Ketchup, Mustard

THURSDAY 8/11

11-30pm

Schwarma Wrap - Thin Sliced Marinated Lamb/Beef Combo, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Naan Bread

Rice

Water

FRIDAY 8/12

12-30pm

Pesto Chicken Sandwich - Pesto Chicken Breast, Lettuce, Sun Dried Tomato Spread, Multigrain Flatbread

Cup of New England Clam Chowder

Cracked Pepper Potato Chips

6pm

1/2 a Steak

Cinnamon Almonds

2 Small pieces of Baklava

1/2 a chocolate bar

1 Ice Cream Sandwich

Strawberry Ice Pop

Lemon Lime Seltzer

SATURDAY 8/13

12am

Helenic Delight Burger - Beef Patty, feta, mozzarella, Parmesan, mayo, ciabatta

Cole Slaw

12-45pm

1/2 Mis-Steak Cheesesteak - Steak, Bacon, Pepperoni, Three Cheeses, Onions, French Fries, Sub Roll

8pm

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich - Grilled Chicken Breast, Hot Sauce, Bleu Cheese, Roll

Side Cincinatti Chili with Cheese

#88. Get Your Picture on Three Restaurant Walls - Fail

The day started with such promise. The sun was bright, the weather clear, and Jason Schlafstein and Christian Sullivan both had actual days off. On a weekend.

We had a plan. It was easy. We would go get our picture on a final restaurant wall, recover over an AFI Top 100 movie, and then go eat an obscure animal body part. Cross off three from the list in one day, nice and relaxed like.

So we made our way to South Street Steaks in my old stomping grounds of Quince Orchards to do the Cheesesteak Challenge. Two cheesesteaks? No problem.

When we got there, there were no photos on the wall.

That should have been our first warning.

We were assured that they still did the challenge. Not only would we get our picture on the wall, but a $50 gift card. Awesome.

But it wasn't just eat two cheesesteaks.

It was eat two Mis-steaks.

The Mis-Steak is a giant sandwich filled with steak, pepperoni, bacon, onions, three kinds of cheese, and most disgustingly french fries - all on a bun.

The rules were no bathroom breaks, no throwing up, no sharing, plate clean.

45 minutes.

The guy behind the counter laughed in our face basically. Said we didn't know what we were getting into. We asked did anyone else ever finish it? "Some woman," he said. "She didn't want her picture on the wall."

We could be The First on the wall. That's like double points.

We went for it. This wasn't a cheap buy in either.

I won't lie, I was intimidated. This was going to be painful. Christian was all business. We did air punches through the restaurant. We hit up the bathroom. We got ready.

And watched as they created two GIGANTIC piles of the most disgusting looking slop I have ever seen and poured them onto crusty rolls. These things were motherfucking huge. Like triple stuffed subs. The pepperoni and bacon felt under cooked, not crispy at all. A full order of fries chopped up into each pile.

We had made a huge mistake.

This photo doesn't do it justice...

The clock started. We grabbed forks. We were going to do this.

It was then that we learned the previous winner, that woman? Black Widow Sonya - professional eater. Gives Kobayashi a run for his money. We can eat, but we are no pros.

Fifteen minutes in I had barely made a dent. And it was DISGUSTING. The three cheeses in particular. The gamy bacon and 'pepperoni.' Ugh. If it was only beef and provolone I think I could have done it. Honestly.

But this was 5 lbs of utter artery clogging hell. And it didn't even taste good.

Still, Christian would not be deterred. Pride was on the line. We came for a photo.

We powered through.

Eventually Christian literally started getting food drunk. He still had a full sandwich and a roll left. While he was gone I decided to ramp it up. I would not disappoint. I went for a huge bite - and started dry heaving at the smell.

That's when I knew. Discretion was the better part of valor. There was NO WAY I would finish this. Forget whether or not I could (I couldn't) - I SHOULDN'T.

I was still feeling okay. Knowing I wouldn't get my photo, I just stopped. There was no reason to spend the rest of the day feeling disgusting for no reason.

As Sarah Davis says - life is too short to eat food that doesn't taste good.

Sully was mad. He wanted to finish. He tried. He tried so hard. And got one all the way down. HE GOT ONE. But it was just too much. Men were not meant to eat this.

The Black Widow had done it in 15 minutes.

Defeat.

Before we left, Christian went to the bathroom to throw up. He really went the distance on this one.

We both said we were okay, but we felt it. Defeated. Vanquished. Unsuccessful.

As we left, it started to rain. We walked to the car with the water dripping down our faces, the sky overcast.

Okay God, we got the message.

I honestly don't know if I'll ever eat a cheese steak again.

#283. Do the 30 Day Song Challenge - Day 6

Day 6 - A Song That Reminds You Of Somewhere

K's Choice - Not An Addict

This song will always remind me of the Ranch Computer Lab, with TJ singing along ironically.

Great song, tragically amusing context.

#283. Do the 30 Day Song Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - A Song That Reminds You Of Someone

Kelly.

Taylor Swift - You Belong To Me

When Kelly and I first got together, this was 'our song.' We would sing it in the car, text each other when it came on in a restaurant. It was sweet.

Like a lot of inside jokes or little things with friends or lovers, over time it faded in prominence. At a certain point I didn't really think of it at all.

Then suddenly when we broke up, it was stuck in my head all the time. It was the sound track to my missing her. It just came back.

It's amazing how deep in the brain things can get buried.

So I always think of Kel when I hear this song, and I assume I always will.

#283. Do the 30 Day Song Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - A Song That Makes You Sad

I just listened to this song again (and I'm writing to it now) and thought it would probably be an angry kind of sad, but it turns out it's just a really sad kind of sad.

Matthew Good Band - Suburbia

This song is best in the dark, with the lights out in a room with a window, or coming through headphones out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees.

Something about the instrumentation gets me deep, and so does the matter of fact delivery of wrath, sadness, and pain.

But what really gets me are these lyrics

someday this place is gonna burn
is your whole life in there waiting?
someday your head is going to turn
and you'll realize i'm missing

do you realize?

I think about the ranch.

I think about disappearing, and how I did. Straight out of suburbia.

I think about the people making that decision to send me away.

I lose myself again.

And watch the world from a distance.

If I disappeared today, who would know I'm missing?

And would you realize how much you missed me?

#283. Do the 30 Day Song Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - A Song That Makes You Happy

It's been awhile since I've heard it, but...

Europe - The Final Countdown

I mean - it has its own dance.

Bunker Flashback!

Flash Fact - There are a LOT of photos of me and John Barkmeyer dancing to this or Journey on Facebook.

But less than there should be.

Flash Fact.

#275. Hook Up To Mother Mother's 'Body of Years'

This is now something that has happened.

Last night was pretty intense. And the next few days/weeks/months will be interesting.

I hope in a really good way.

I want that very much.

So much.

It's all process.

You gotta see the artistry in tearing the place apart with me, baby.

Either way, Mother Mother is a great band to hook up to.

- Wrecking Ball

- Body of Years

- Calm Me Down

Use your body - use it to put me to sleep.

Your body, oh - soothe my soul.

So beautiful.